Carol A. Zahnen 1949-2025

Carol A. Zahnen, 76, of Medford, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 at VitaCare in Abbotsford while under the compassionate care of St. Croix Hospice. She was born March 18, 1949 in Medford to Norman and Eleanor (Schlais) Holtz. She graduated from Medford High School in 1967. Carol married Philip Purdy in 1967 and together had two sons. They later divorced. She then married Ron Zahnen and later divorced. Carol worked at Tombstone, then County Market before moving to Arkansas where she worked as a certified nursing assistant for a few years. When she moved back to the Medford area, she worked at McDonald’s for 25 years, retiring from there in 2022. She enjoyed word searches, being outdoors, outings in the park, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her son, Kevin (Stacey) Purdy, of Withee; grandchildren, Kenneth Purdy, of Green Bay and Alyssa (Justin) Meyer, of Medford; a great-granddaughter, Kristina Timm, of Park Falls; siblings, Beverly (Michael) Peterson, of Medford, Jim (Diane) Holtz, of Trumbauersville, Pa.; sister-in-law, Marlene Holtz, of Rib Lake; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Dale Purdy; and three siblings, Gerald Holtz, Larry “Butch” Holtz, and Shirley Miller. At Carol’s request, no services will be held. If you choose, memorials may go to St. Croix Hospice, 216 East Upham St., Marshfield, WI 54449, in Carol’s honor. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.